BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE fire currently ablaze at the Landfill in Conaree could burn for years, according to an official from the Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC).
The fire, which was discovered just under two weeks ago, is located at the interim cell, where all the old garbage was compiled into a mound and covered with dirt. That area is specifically used for storing refrigerators, stoves, old cars and some old computers.
Operations Supervisor at the SWMC Wilmon McCall told SKNVibes that the fire originated by natural combustion and that such fires are normal at the Landfill.
“We have had fires there already; it is just that we keep suppressing these fires. Many of these fires have been started by natural combustion because of the breakdown of the material underneath with methane and other gases that are given off...and methane is a very flammable gas.”
He added that work was currently taking place to try and subdue the flame.
“We did a couple of things to suppress the fire. The Fire Services were called in and we have several persons in the community bringing dirt to assist…and before all those could have been activated the fire was all over the place and beyond repair at the time.
“The Fire Services (officers) themselves were stressed on Sunday (Feb. 17) because they were called to a fire that was encroaching property and were diverted.
“After the blazing on the Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 16 and 17) the fire began to ‘smalter’ and the fire also became ‘sub-terrain’, and as the material on the top was properly burnt off the constant fumes began to be emitted and that is why we had complaints from most of the residents in the St. Peters area.”
McCall also explained the difficulty they are having in controlling the fire.
“But it is harder to put out because a lot of it is 10-12 feet down and the only way we can deal with that is to choke it with dirt. We began the process but it is a long and very expensive process.”
He added that several announcements via radio and television were made to alert the populace as to what to do in dealing with the fumes.
“We were very concerned about those who were affected and we empathise with them. And in most cases we are sympathetic. We are hoping that it will not happen again. It is still burning and will continue to burn for a long time, just that the emissions are not as much to get that far. We also have ‘smaltering’ from a fire we had two years ago when some 500 000 tyres were burnt off and that fire is still burning. It is just that the emissions are not enough to affect anyone, and so it is not noticed by many persons but it is still burning.”
He went on to assure the public that the SWMC is always alert to the possible hazards at the
Landfill and that all their workers have the relevant equipment and knowledge.
“Fire is not comfortable; it is never something that we want. Thank God no one was injured by it, because the number of explosions experienced is unbelievable and it’s very dangerous.”
He also refuted the claims that the SWMC deliberately started the fire.
“Starting a fire at the landfill is something that we have never practiced or done. I know people have gotten away with doing it…they enter the landfill unauthorised by us and sometimes members of the public light the fires.
“We are very sorry for the inconvenience they have been through and, at Solid Waste Management, we would do our very best to try and avoid any more landfill fires. Everybody loses when it comes to a landfill fire. I wish there is something more we can do.”
